The Death of Wallenstein, Friedrich Schiller [learn to read books txt] 📗

thy deep-seeing eyes!

WALLENSTEIN.
Thou wilt not shake My faith for me; my faith, which founds itself On the profoundest science. If 'tis false, Then the whole science of the stars is false; For know, I have a pledge from Fate itself, That he is the most faithful of my friends.

ILLO. Hast thou a pledge that this pledge is not false?

WALLENSTEIN. There exist moments in the life of man, When he is nearer the great Soul of the world Than is man's custom, and possesses freely The power of questioning his destiny: And such a moment 'twas, when in the night Before the action in the plains of Luetzen, Leaning against a tree, thoughts crowding thoughts, I looked out far upon the ominous plain. My whole life, past and future, in this moment Before my mind's eye glided in procession, And to the destiny of the next morning The spirit, filled with anxious presentiment, Did knit the most removed futurity. Then said I also to myself, "So many Dost thou command. They follow all thy stars, And as on some great number set their all Upon thy single head, and only man The vessel of thy fortune. Yet a day Will come, when destiny shall once more scatter All these in many a several direction: Few be they who will stand out faithful to thee." I yearned to know which one was faithfulest Of all, my camp included. Great destiny, Give me a sign! And he shall be the man, Who, on the approaching morning, comes the first To meet me with a token of his love: And thinking this, I fell into a slumber, Then midmost in the battle was I led In spirit. Great the pressure and the tumult! Then was my horse killed under me: I sank; And over me away, all unconcernedly, Drove horse and rider - and thus trod to pieces I lay, and panted like a dying man; Then seized me suddenly a savior arm; It was Octavio's - I woke at once, 'Twas broad day, and Octavio stood before me. "My brother," said he, "do not ride to-day The dapple, as you're wont; but mount the horse Which I have chosen for thee. Do it, brother! In love to me. A strong dream warned me so." It was the swiftness of this horse that snatched me From the hot pursuit of Bannier's dragoons. My cousin rode the dapple on that day, And never more saw I or horse or rider.

ILLO. That was a chance.

WALLENSTEIN (significantly).
There's no such thing as chance And what to us seems merest accident Springs from the deepest source of destiny. In brief, 'tis signed and sealed that this Octavio Is my good angel - and now no word more.

[He is retiring.

TERZKY. This is my comfort - Max. remains our hostage.

ILLO. And he shall never stir from here alive.

WALLENSTEIN (stops and turns himself round). Are ye not like the women, who forever Only recur to their first word, although One had been talking reason by the hour! Know, that the human being's thoughts and deeds Are not like ocean billows, blindly moved. The inner world, his microcosmus, is The deep shaft, out of which they spring eternally. They grow by certain laws, like the tree's fruit - No juggling chance can metamorphose them. Have I the human kernel first examined? Then I know, too, the future will and action.

[Exeunt.


SCENE IV.

Chamber in the residence of Piccolomini: OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI
(attired for travelling), an ADJUTANT.

OCTAVIO. Is the detachment here?

ADJUTANT.
It waits below.

OCTAVIO. And are the soldiers trusty, adjutant? Say, from what regiment hast thou chosen them?

ADJUTANT. From Tiefenbach's.

OCTAVIO. That regiment is loyal, Keep them in silence in the inner court, Unseen by all, and when the signal peals Then close the doors, keep watch upon the house. And all ye meet be instantly arrested.
[Exit ADJUTANT. I hope indeed I shall not need their service, So certain feel I of my well-laid plans; But when an empire's safety is at stake 'Twere better too much caution than too little.


SCENE V.

A chamber in PICCOLOMINI's dwelling-house: OCTAVIO,
PICCOLOMINI, ISOLANI, entering.

ISOLANI. Here am I - well! who comes yet of the others?

OCTAVIO (with an air of mystery). But, first, a word with you, Count Isolani.

ISOLANI (assuming the same air of mystery). Will it explode, ha? Is the duke about To make the attempt? In me, friend, you may place Full confidence - nay, put me to the proof.

OCTAVIO. That may happen.

ISOLANI.
Noble brother, I am Not one of those men who in words are valiant, And when it comes to action skulk away. The duke has acted towards me as a friend: God knows it is so; and I owe him all; He may rely on my fidelity.

OCTAVIO. That will be seen hereafter.

ISOLANI.
Be on your guard, All think not as I think; and there are many Who still hold with the court - yes, and they say That these stolen signatures bind them to nothing.

OCTAVIO. Indeed! Pray name to me the chiefs that think so;

ISOLANI. Plague upon them! all the Germans think so Esterhazy, Kaunitz, Deodati, too, Insist upon obedience to the court.

OCTAVIO. I am rejoiced to hear it.

ISOLANI.
You rejoice?

OCTAVIO. That the emperor has yet such gallant servants, And loving friends.

ISOLANI.
Nay, jeer not, I entreat you. They are no such worthless fellows, I assure you.

OCTAVIO. I am assured already. God forbid That I should jest! In very serious earnest, I am rejoiced to see an honest cause So strong.

ISOLANI.
The devil! - what! - why, what means this? Are you not, then - - For what, then, am I here?

OCTAVIO. That you may make full declaration, whether You will be called the friend or enemy Of the emperor.

ISOLANI (with an air of defiance).
That declaration, friend, I'll make to him in whom a right is placed To put that question to me.

OCTAVIO.
Whether, count, That right is mine, this paper may instruct you.

ISOLANI (stammering). Why, - why - what! this is the emperor's hand and seal
[Reads. "Whereas the officers collectively Throughout our army will obey the orders Of the Lieutenant-General Piccolomini, As from ourselves." - Hem! - Yes! so! - Yes! yes! I - I give you joy, lieutenant-general!

OCTAVIO. And you submit to the order?

ISOLANI.
I - But you have taken me so by surprise Time for reflection one must have - -

OCTAVIO.
Two minutes.

ISOLANI. My God! But then the case is - -

OCTAVIO.
Plain and simple. You must declare you, whether you determine To act a treason 'gainst your lord and sovereign, Or whether you will serve him faithfully.

ISOLANI. Treason! My God! But who talks then of treason?

OCTAVIO. That is the case. The prince-duke is a traitor - Means to lead over to the enemy The emperor's army. Now, count! brief and full - Say, will you break your oath to the emperor? Sell yourself to the enemy? Say, will you?

ISOLANI. What mean you? I - I break my oath, d'ye say, To his imperial majesty? Did I say so! When, when have I said that?

OCTAVIO. You have not said it yet - not yet. This instant I wait to hear, count, whether you will say it.

ISOLANI. Ay! that delights me now, that you yourself Bear witness for me that I never said so.

OCTAVIO. And you renounce the duke then?

ISOLANI.
If he's planning Treason - why, treason breaks all bonds asunder.

OCTAVIO. And are determined, too, to fight against him?

ISOLANI. He has done me service - but if he's a villain, Perdition seize him! All scores are rubbed off.

OCTAVIO. I am rejoiced that you are so well disposed. This night break off in the utmost secrecy With all the light-armed troops - it must appear As came the order from the duke himself. At Frauenberg's the place of rendezvous; There will Count Gallas give you further orders.

ISOLANI. It shall be done. But you'll remember me With the emperor - how well disposed you found me.

OCTAVIO. I will not fail to mention it honorably.

[Exit ISOLANI. A SERVANT enters.

What, Colonel Butler! Show him up.

ISOLANI (returning). Forgive me too my bearish ways, old father! Lord God! how should I know, then, what a great Person I had before me.

OCTAVIO.
No excuses!

ISOLANI. I am a merry lad, and if at time A rash word might escape me 'gainst the court Amidst my wine, - you know no harm was meant.

OCTAVIO. You need not be uneasy on that score. That has succeeded. Fortune favor us With all the others only but as much.

[Exit.


SCENE VI.

OCTAVIO PICCOLOMINI, BUTLER.

BUTLER. At your command, lieutenant-general.

OCTAVIO. Welcome, as honored friend and visitor.

BUTLER. You do me too much honor.

OCTAVIO (after both have seated themselves)
You have not Returned the advances which I made you yesterday - Misunderstood them as mere empty forms. That wish proceeded from my heart - I was In earnest with you - for 'tis now a time In which the honest should unite most closely.

BUTLER. 'Tis only the like-minded can unite.

OCTAVIO. True! and I name all honest men like-minded. I never charge a man but with those acts To which his character deliberately Impels him; for alas! the violence Of blind misunderstandings often thrusts The very best of us from the right track. You came through Frauenberg. Did the